Hushan Reservoir in western Taiwan’s Yunlin County is expected to be ready by 2014, further ensuring the sustainable development of Taiwan’s water resources, the Water Resources Agency said Feb. 10.
“As of the end of January, 55 percent of the dam had been completed,” WRA Deputy Director-General Wu Yue-xi said. “After coming on line, it will be able to supply 690,000 tons of water to the county on a daily basis.”
According to the WRA, the reservoir will reduce the use of groundwater and significantly stabilize supplies for 740,000 residents. An overreliance on this source has caused widespread land subsidence, with collapses of up to 2 meters in some areas.
“In Tuku Township, the site of planned Taiwan High Speed Rail station, land is sinking at the rate of 9.5 centimeters per year,” Wu said. “If no action is taken, this issue threatens the structural integrity of the railway.”
Pouring cold water on claims by environmental groups that the dam will primarily serve local petrochemical and high-tech businesses, Wu said priority will be given to residential use in accordance with the WRA environmental assessment.
The reservoir, which is situated in Douliu City, was approved in 2001 by the Cabinet with construction beginning in 2007. This delay was due to environmental concerns and land procurement issues. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw